Chapter 9

  At night, in the back hall of the county government office. Guo Zhuren was already drunk and dizzy. Leng Wuwei: "Guo sir, who looks up to me like this? Do you know what kind of situation Gan state is in?" When he saw that he was going to take office in Gan state, Leng Wuwei felt a bit uneasy, because Li Yi had been exiled there.

  "It was Master Lin who specifically called for you to go. As for Ganzhou, I advise you not to go there, the people there eat humans without spitting out bones, be careful..."

  "Is there anything to do with Zuo?"

  "What's this, Left Prime Minister? All the officials there are your cronies, you...you..."

  "Come on, sir, have another drink, you're not drunk yet. As expected of a grown man, you can really hold your liquor... let's have another cup..."

  A cold and unfeeling study. "Leng Shao, why aren't you happy that you've been promoted?" Tian Da asked with a smile. Leng Wuwei's face was gloomy: "Happy? One foot is already in the coffin, you don't know, do you know what kind of place it is? There, others can say a word and our heads will roll." Tian Da sobered up: "Then are we still going?" "We're going, of course, but this time I want to make everyone in the capital know that there's someone like me. I want them to think twice even if they put a knife to our necks... Ha ha" with a wicked smile on his face.

  Gan Zhou, once a fortress of Western military conflicts, has been weakened by the constant encroachment of Northern countries, Ning and Xi Shang, making it difficult for them to defend themselves, let alone invade the East. Four years ago, Yang Chun, the General of Ning, led an army of 100,000 and conquered four countries: Tang, Chen, Liang, and Song, greatly increasing their national strength. Meanwhile, the General of Xi Shang, Ba Du, conquered Qi, Han, and Zhao. The ten Western countries were reduced to three: Nan Li, Bei Wei, and Xi Chu, all of which are gateways to the Great Han. Ning has Da Xia in the North and Xi Shang has Xi Qin in the West, both of which are concerns for the two countries. Recently, both sides have been working hard to expand their forces, with the destruction of Xi Qin and Da Xia being their top priority. This will bring peace to the Great Han.

  Young master, accompanied by a burly attendant, arrived at Gan Zhou in a carefree manner. They were Leng Wu Wei and Tian Da. To be on the safe side, the two disguised themselves.

  This year is a year of flooding, but Gan Zhou is drought-stricken. Although the farmers' harvests are not completely lost, they are almost so. Leng Wuwei saw these scenes and thought back to when he was also a refugee. The elderly and children, women supporting each other, that long queue gives people a chilling feeling.

  Leng Wu found an old man and asked, "Old man, why have you left your home and village? Doesn't the government care about you?" The old man replied, "The government doesn't care about our lives." Tian Da asked, "Why aren't there any strong young men? Why are they all old people and women and children?" The old man sighed, "They've all been taken away to be soldiers. You'd best not go either, or you'll be taken too." After finishing speaking, he shook his head and walked away.

  Leng Wuwei and Tian Da looked at each other, both of their eyes showing a hint of pain. But they wouldn't take action to help them because they had also been refugees before, and the scars on their hearts were still deep. Charity was for the rich, not for them, especially when their own future was uncertain. Leng Wuwei's rule for survival was: do good deeds only if it benefits himself, otherwise, he would avoid it if possible. The long line of refugees didn't prompt them to take out a single coin to donate; that little bit was absolutely insufficient for them.

  Arrived at Gan Zhou City. Leng Wu Wei looked at the strict city defense, and had a faint feeling that something was not quite right, but couldn't figure out what it was. Arriving at the government office entrance, many officials were waiting there.

  "Cold and unassuming, he stepped forward quickly and said: 'Everyone, nice to meet you all for the first time, please take care of me.' 'I am Shi Xingguo, Deputy Envoy of the Salt Transport Agency, this is Li Hua, Tongpan of Ganzhou, and this is...' Shi Xingguo introduced a large group of people, followed by boasting and flattering, and then they sat down to drink."

  "Magistrate is so young and has already become a fifth-rank official, his future prospects are boundless."

  Leng: "That's the emperor's benevolence, let's toast to His Majesty."

  After everyone finished paying their respects.

  Leng: "Today I saw many refugees on the road, what's going on?"

  Official A: "This year, Ganzhou has suffered a great drought, many families have nothing to eat, and they simply went out to flee the famine."

  Leng: "Doesn't the imperial court have any relief grain?"

  Officer B: "Sent, but..."

  Leng: "What's going on? Why are you being so evasive?"

  "Sir, you don't understand the situation here. Although we are local officials, but in specific matters, it's not up to us to decide, and even if we say something, it doesn't count."

  "It's who said it that matters."

  "Who else could it be? Of course, it's the officials here. They decide how much grain to give you, and that's how much grain you get. Clearly there is grain, but in their mouths, having grain becomes not having grain."